Placebo

Inactive substance or treatment which looks identical to an active substance or treatment and is used as a ‘control’ in scientific trials to elucidate the real effects of an active treatment

Randomised controlled trial (RCT)

The ‘gold standard’ form of scientific trial in which each participant is assigned through a randomised procedure to either an active treatment or placebo

Electrolytes

Mineral salts carrying an electrical charge, which are naturally present in the body and are needed for the regulation of muscle contractions and other functions

Creatinine

An end product of normal muscle metabolism, which is produced at a measurable and predictable rate after exercise

Venous perfusion

The filling of veins with blood

Phlebitis

Inflammation of a vein, usually accompanied by pain, swelling and tenderness

Haematoma

A collection of clotted blood within the tissues which usually forms a swelling

Periosteum

A layer of dense connective tissue that covers the surface of a bone

Plantar fasciitis

Foot arch pain

Recovery

A well-planned activity that matches the situational needs of an athlete in rest and results in regaining an optimal performance state

Cognitive

Relating to intellectual faculties of knowing, thinking or perceiving

Motor neurones

Nerves that conduct the electrical signals required for muscles to contract

VO2max

Maximal oxygen uptake, defined as the maximum amount of oxygen in millilitres a person can use in one minute per kg of body weight

Metabolism

The breakdown of complex organic constituents of the body with the liberation of energy that is required for other processes

Formaldehyde

A toxic chemical (CH2O) that harms cells and DNA when ingested or produced in the body

Cross linking

A process whereby protein molecules become chemically linked to their neighbours and which is associated with degeneration – eg the appearance of lines and wrinkles on the skin as ageing occurs

Vascular damage

Cellular damage within the walls of blood vessels, which can lead to such conditions as coronary heart disease

Atrial fibrillation

A rapid heart rate in which the upper heart chambers (atria) are stimulated to contract in a very disorganised and abnormal manner

Precursor

A molecule used as a building block for another molecule

Enzyme

A protein synthesised in the body that facilitates a biochemical reaction that would otherwise occur too slowly, or not at all